Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A320-111 Airplanes

The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD), which applies to certain Airbus Model A320-111 airplanes. The existing AD currently requires repetitive inspections for cracking in the front and rear faces and at the crown fittings of the upper stringers of the center wing box and applicable repairs. This new AD requires continuing the repetitive inspections at revised thresholds and intervals, and applicable repairs. This AD results from a manufacturer survey of airplanes affected by the existing inspection program that led to the consequent revision of the thresholds and intervals of the repetitive inspections. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking of the upper stringers of the center wing box, which could lead to loss of structural integrity of the wing.